What to take and how to pack light for a trip

Packing light is a skill which you must learn if you want to backpack of hitch-hike for a long time without straining your back and ruining your trip.

Let’s be honest, it’s useful even if you’re not planning a round-the-world trip with a rucksack firmly attached to your back. Have you ever thought that Ryanair’s luggage limit of 15 kg is not enough? What would you say if I told you that your bag can weigh 6 kg and contain all you will need for a two month trip?

Follow these simple rules and I can guarantee you less stress and back pain throughout your journey:

Rucksack

Your rucksack is your best friend, so choose wisely. Your ideal rucksack should be small and light.

Rule 1: A small rucksack

For a trip during which you’re planning to camp, the maximum size of your rucksack shouldn’t exceed 65 l. If your bag is too big but empty, it will be uncomfortable to carry.

If you are not planning on camping and you’re not taking a tent, a sleeping bag and a mat, then anything between 20 and 50 l should do you.

Rule 2: Personalize your rucksack

If you are planning to move around carrying your rucksack a lot, make sure you buy one with an adjustable back system. This will allow you to adjust it to your unique posture and size, which will make a big difference. The idea is not to feel your rucksack at all.

Rule 3: Straps & zips

If your rucksack is small, make sure it has a lot of straps, which you can use to attach things onto it or compress your rucksack to make it smaller.

It’s also a good idea to buy a rucksack with a bottom compartment which can be accessed separately.

Rule 4: In all weathers

If your rucksack isn’t waterproof, make sure you buy a waterproof rain cover. For example something like this.

Rule 5: Look unassuming

Not in every country it’s a good idea to look like a tourist. In many places tourists are considered easy targets for pickpocket or scammers so the more you look like a local, the better. Therefore avoid attaching anything to your rucksack, which would give an idea that you are a world traveller, like badges, flags etc. They might look cool, but safety first!

Clothes

Rule 1: Take the bare minimum

4 t-shirts / tops

1 long-sleeve shirt

2 pairs of zip-off trousers

fleece

waterproof jacket (maybe waterproof trousers)

hiking boots

sport sandals

4 changes of underwear

3 pairs of socks

headscarf

swimsuit

1 t-shirt + shorts to sleep

Rule 2: Take light & quick-drying clothes

If you’re backpacking, you have to wash your clothes on a regular basis; probably every second day. Sometimes you won’t have enough time to let it dry for a long time; you might get rained on etc… Therefore it’s essential to have quick-drying clothes made of light materials!

So forget about jeans, they are heavy and take ages to dry!

Rule 3: Double function

Think of ways in which one piece of clothing could serve more than one function.

Equip yourself with zip-off trousers, which can be used as shorts or long trousers, if the weather or culture require full-leg coverage. There are many of these kind of trousers on the market, but make sure you buy the quick-drying ones.

A headscarf is also a very useful piece of equipment, which you can use to cover your head & shoulders (weather or cultural reasons), use as a belt, rope, mat or cover…

You can also take one pair of underwear less and use your bikini bottom or swimming trunks.

Rule 4: Comfortable shoes

You will need two types of shoes: for good and for bad weather.

The shoes you choose for bad weather should also be good for hiking or all-terrain walking, so make sure they have gripping soles and protect your ankles well. It’s important to have this kind of shoes if you are planning on hitch-hiking as well, since very often you will be dropped off on the side of the road (mud, dry grass, thorns…) or you’ll have to walk a lot to find a good spot. Your shoes really don’t need to be expensive, choose comfort & light weight over the prize.

The shoes for good weather would normally be sandals. We avoid flip flops as you can’t really run or walk up steep hills in them.

Rule 5: Compact & light jackets

I always take two types of jackets with me: a fleece and a rain jacket.

A fleece is light, warm and can be packed in a compression sack really easily.

A rain jacket should be so small and light that it could fit in the pocket of your fleece or in your hand luggage without any problem. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, I use a 14€ one from Decathlon.

Our last trip

We have just finished our 2-month hitch-hiking trip across the north of Italy and the Balkan Peninsula.Read the trip summary!!
Find out how easy it is to travel for nearly nothing, discovering beautiful places and meeting tons of positive people on the road!
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